Tag Archives: fashion

If you’re like me and would rather get drunk and online shop from home, but love the appeal of well-worn vintage clothes, then people that actually scour the racks for you become something special in the quest for the perfect wardrobe. And online etsy shops really provide the best of both worlds.

Emily Bolles from Sturnelle Collection has graced the ‘pages’ of this blog before, and tomorrow, I aim to add another favorite online fashion forum to my repertoire with a visit to the pop-up shop event for MILKMONEY. I’m bringing Jimi along with me so we can get good and sauced and find all our favorite pieces to gush about on this here blog.

Check them out now or wait for my profile, but either way, let’s hear it for the girls – the local Portland girls especially – that love fashion so much they’re willing to go out and find it for me. xoxo, Lou

I have something to admit. I can’t stop watching this terrible reality show called ‘Rodeo Girls’. For those of you that know me this shouldn’t come as a huge surprise. I’ve wanted to be a barrel racer in the rodeo since I was about 8 years old. But because I wasn’t born into the rodeo circuit and never had money for my own horse and had to navigate the cards I was dealt (suburban Minnesota), it just hasn’t happened for me.

So instead I’ve done things like spend a summer in Wyoming working on a dude ranch, horse lessons, volunteer work with horses, and annual promises to myself to save up for my own horse. I also very frequently fall into fashion obsessions with Western wear. Lucky for you and me, western wear has actually gotten really COOL. As a little girl, I really only understood it as shit I could find at like Drysdales. No this isn’t necessarily bad, but it’s not something I’m going to wear around the streets of Portland either.

Seriously though. Those brown pants. That SHIRT. That shirt got a lot of play back in the day, no doubt.

But back to real time, like I said, I was sitting on the couch ignoring the beautiful, sunny Portland day outside, watching Rodeo girls and I looked down and was like oh snap, this flannel I’m wearing sure is cute and appropriate. Flannels. Wardrobe staple. They make everyone look hot! Cholo/as need I say more? And a girl in an oversized flanned, don’t tell me that doesn’t turn you on.

Me today in a not oversized flannel, but it’s still cozy as hell and it automatically makes my un-makeupped, crazy hair, tired eyes situation seem less dire than it actually is. Scored this one from a clothing swap. Long live clothing swaps forever and ever.

Then I got to thinking about this sweatshirt I recently got from Idylwild. I was pretty drunk when I saw it and realized I had to have it, but you know, I’m sober now and not regretting it at all. Idylwild has tons of cute shit. Follow on IG and check out the website and stock up on staples that will get you through summer because seriously I’m thinking short shorts, cowgirl boots, and turquoise. All day every day come June.

Cute, right?

Here’s some more Idylwild pulled from Instagram:

Another good site and IG to check out is Bandit Brand clothing. Hotttttttt shit.

And for all your jewelry needs, I HIGHLY suggest you check out Honey Fox Jewelry because SWOON. I recently got a new job and one (at least) of her pieces is top of my list for first paychecks. And she’s local. If anyone wants to gift me with something of hers I won’t complain. Here’s her Etsy for all your shopping and gifting needs http://www.etsy.com/shop/honeyfoxjewelry

So yeah, I don’t know about you, but now that we’re past the winter solstice I’m already dreaming of summer and it’s going to include horses and western wear galore. Oh and I’m thinking a return trip to Wyoming. Road trip anyone?

I just have been taking an unscheduled hiatus from writing for no good reason. Sometimes maybe those are the best types of breaks. Then I had someone somehow find me on Instagram and she loved the blog and I woke up this morning and literally jotted down a random poem first thing and remembered why I ever kept this blog in the first place and that was so that I could continue writing on a daily (or to be real – weekly) basis.

This is something I have not been doing and it kind of sucks. So maybe I should write … about … island life? Island fashion? Since I am coming off a 2 1/2 week vacation in Thailand and spent every day looking something like this:

Ridiculous right? First rule – buy flowy pants immediately. Those pants are the most amazing pants maybe ever and everyone should find their country’s alternative. They’re high wasted, have pockets, keep you cool even in 90 degree weather, have elastic ankles for beach walking, and dry quickly. I gifted a group of my girlfriends with them and now they love me forever. This elastic waist makes me want to cry with happiness, especially because when you’re in the tropics it’s totally acceptable to rock an elastic waist at all hours of all days.

Let’s see. What else? I really, really wanted to buy an entire wardrobe for this trip because you know – of course I was imagining all the pictures we’d be taking and I had an idea of what I wanted to look like in those pictures, but in the end I took a bunch of hand-me-downs and cheap second hand finds because that’s the only way I know how to operate in fashion.

Don’t be afraid to pack light.

Everything I took had to fit into a Jansport backpack since we had no itinerary and no plans and needed to be highly mobile. Therefore, I wore the same 5 outfits over and over and over again. Luckily the clothes you need for island fashion are small and compact. This was the warmest thing I had to wear and it was only necessary for the plane rides over there:

Hi cleaning lady! After this shot, it was was bikinis, dresses, bikinis, dresses, and one radical pair of jean shorts:

My sister gave me this dress and she got it from GAP for $10. You don’t need to wear a bra with it, the back has cute detail, it’s a great color, was a little longer than the other dresses I had, and the cotton is breathable – if you’re going somewhere tropical – a dress that meets these criteria is a must.

Oh and I don’t typically wear flip flops during normal life, but on this trip I lived in them, especially since it’s customary around Thailand to remove your shoes whenever you go into … well most places, not to mention the beach. For me, it was either this pair of slim black Havaianas or Vans, which should have the laces ripped out of them immediately for slip-on access.

White dress from Buffalo Exchange for $13 or so bucks. Perfect cover up.

This dress is from Victoria’s Secret, who believe it or not, actually have a shit ton of cute beach stuff. This was you know cute enough and it’s made from some sort of terry cloth so it’s suuuuper comfy and it has a drop waist which is bitchin BUT I wore it on a boat trip and it started raining and then I was pretty much wearing a heavy wet towel, so I mean maybe not my best move ever … definitely should have had on this RVCA poncho thing I bought specifically for this trip through Revolve (who I love for their free shipping/returns/selection), but I am an idiot and definitely forgot to pack it. Fabrics matter.

Anyway I’m rambling so let me sum this up.

I need to write more.

Tropical vacations kick the ass out of everything and flip flops are a totally acceptable form of footwear when you’re on one.

Cover-ups and bikinis are your best friends. I bought all new bikinis on crazy cheap sale from Victoria’s Secret OH AND one ridiculously expensive pair of bottoms from Frankie’s Bikinis. Trust me, if you have any sort of substantial booty the Venice bottoms are your best friend. Worth the money if you want to preserve shots of your hot young ass in Thailand.

Don’t wear materials that turn into heavy towels when they get wet. Fabrics matter.

Don’t be afraid to pack light, especially if you’re going to a place where it’s inexpensive to purchase forgotten necessities.

Buy flowy pants immediately. Bonus points if you can make an elastic waist pair work for you.

Tropical drinks are mostly overrated unless they are Mango Margaritas. Cheap whiskey and beer with fresh fruit snacks are where it’s at.

And that’s all. Until next time, which hopefully won’t be as long as this last time.

My sister is stepping in to do a guest blog. Isn’t it cute how she *’s out the “i” in Bitch in her title? Ha – I think she forgot she was writing for my crass, whiskey-saoked blog. Goes to show that we have pretty different, ok … very different styles. Some of you are a bit more classically stylish like she is though, so I always love when she gets a chance to write.

It’s pretty funny she’s the one that’s blogging and that she’s blogging about work, seeing how I’m currently unemployed and technically should have all day to write, but instead I’m … looking … constantly … for jobs. Or watching The Voice. So you know.

I hope you enjoy this post by her. Especially if you work in an office environment where business casual (is that what this is?) is the way to go. Me? I only find myself looking for jobs now where I have the freedom to wear whatever I want. I’ve been spoiled and won’t ever back!

Enjoy! Happy Monday! xoxo, Lou

When I first started my office job in the fanciest building on campus at my alma mater, I was Jazzed about wearing Office Clothes. Visions of me dressed like this were dancing in my head:

Sometimes, I’m not far off this mark. BUT, suits are crazy expensive, and one can only come up with so many clever combinations of suit-top-heels before one gets a little bored with office attire. After only a short time at my office job, this is how I felt about wearing office clothes:

As previously mentioned, I work in The Fancy Building on campus. The university president works in this building. There is definitely a dress code. (Side Bar: We have actual Casual Fridays and people really do say “T.G.I.F.!” It can make life feel a lot like a quirky sitcom.)

Needless to say, I’m on the younger end of the employee spectrum, and most people in the building tend to walk the conservative line when it comes to work wear. So I realized I had two choices: Fall into the same habits of my coworkers, and try to blend in, OR, be true to myself and my love of clothes, and have as much fun as possible within the parameters of Looking Professional.

I never thought I’d be a Blazer Girl. But I LOVE My Blazer. Investing in a great Blazer is so worthwhile when you need to wear Work Clothes on the regular. It polishes up any ensemble, for example:

Without the blazer, that outfit is super casual. It’s a cotton turtleneck, relaxed-fit skirt, and some booties. But add the blazer, and voila! Polish.

Another great work staple is the Pencil Skirt. I commute by bicycle most of the time, so this item is reserved for carpool days. Be Forewarned: pencil skirts have a volatile magic. You will probably not open a single door for yourself all day, but it’s likely because the door-holder is enjoying the view:

It’s easy to fall into Pin Up Girl territory here, so pairing the magic skirt with a simple cotton top and cozy shrug gives it some balance.

Speaking of inappropriate office outfits, I’m pretty sure this dress was way too short for me to wear to work:

I wore that white cardigan over it and somehow decided that made it more modest, but looking at this picture I’m kinda surprised I didn’t get sent home to change. Hello, legs!

Which is not to say that dresses in general can’t be Work Appropriate. Do you have a spirit animal? I do, and her name is Taylor Swift. One morning Swifty ran into some Joan from Mad Men inspiration to create the following work outfit:

I really wanted to wear the Ray Bans all day, but they made it hard to see my computer screen.
T-shirts can also make for a good work ensemble, so long as you apply the requisite Polish.

Example One, The Tee / Cardigan Layered Look:

Example Two: The Button Down / Tee / Cardigan Combo:
(I have no clue what I’m doing in this picture, but I like my outfit)

It’s important for my office steez to be bicycle friendly whenever possible, so I’ve invested in a lot of good Pants over the last year and a half. The goal is always slim cut, ankle or capri length, for the ease of hopping on the bike to G-O! These wine colored gems are one of my new favorite pairs (shown with a little daytime sparkle!):

I also decided awhile back that toothpick cords are completely work appropriate, and no one has ever contradicted me, so:

(you better work, b*tch)

Clearly we must now segue into Sweaters. It’s fall, and I love sweaters. Let’s enjoy this one again:

This is what I’m wearing today, and so many people have commented on “the chicken” on my sweater, to which I can only reply, “Chickens don’t wear berets.”

Remember how we have actual Casual Fridays? Well you still don’t want to look like a hot mess, especially when your university prez is on the TLC tip. He don’t want no scrubs.

Casual Friday Example One:

The shorts were a gamble, but the polish here? Oxfords and a cute, simple sweater. Nautical theme!

Casual Friday Example Two:

Jeans and some school-spirit red plaid, with more oxford polish.

See? Dressing for work can be – and should be – fun. Even if your office has Professional Polish Parameters (yay, alliteration!) there are always opportunities to be creative. Find your spirit animal and let her shine! Then, if your sister has a fashion blog, you can take lots of mini work breaks by creating a catalog of outfit selfies which will one day become a What to Wear at the Office post. Cheers, Lou!

To many of you, it’s not that crazy, but I bought two pairs of shoes in like, the last month. Whoa.

You see – I finally have a job that pays me an amount of money that allows for expendable income. It’s completely exciting. Up to now, my wardrobe consisted of hand-me-downs, swap steals, the occasional thrift find, and cheap ass shit.

I still really appreciate all of the aforementioned sources of appropriation, but to finally have money that I can spend to build a closet with wardrobe staples that are entirely ME is pretty damn fun. Plus I’m almost 30. Now that the college degrees are out of the way and I scored a great job, it’s time I buy myself some of my own damn clothes, right? (See, I still have to ask as I try and rid myself of the weird feelings of guilt over spending my own money. Being formerly poor is weird like that.)

So anyway, I bought shoes. I’ve always had a hard time buying shoes. Because with shoes, unlike with say, sweaters or leggings or whatever, you can’t get by on “cheap” as easily. I’m still am not spending a fortune or anything, but let’s consider spending more than $45 on a pair of Vans a step up.

Pair #1 – Doc Martens

Yeah, yeah, I get it. The dream of the 90’s is blah blah blah … but let’s be real here. This fashion phenomena is not just hitting Portland (it just never left Portland) and I would way rather walk around seeing 90’s fashion flashbacks everywhere than say, the 80’s. The 80’s are just not my steez.

I’ve been talking about how I just really need some new boots. In Portland, where it’s rainy and cloudy for 9 months of the year, investing in boots is kind of a must. Just so happens that for the past year or so I’ve also been swooning over Doc Martens. Especially those Oxblood red numbers.

So here I am, walking to work the other day, in a pair of flats with no socks or anything, and it’s pissing rain and I’m like MAN I really need some BOOTS. The time is NOW. And then I see the Dr. Martens store as I cross Burnside and I’m like, mmmm Dr. Martens.

Best purchase I’ve made in a long, long time. Practically wore these puppies out of the store. And I went with black knowing that if I loved them (which I do) I could always go back and pick up a pair up in Oxblood. Black is more a staple item. And that’s my thing with what I’m actually willing to spend money on – collecting staples.

Item #2 – Phew. Deep breath. Jeffrey Campbell Soiree Heels

Ok, ok. What the fuck was I thinking? Who am I? Will I ever where these?

I don’t know the answer to any of these questions – well except the last because yeah – I have to wear these. I’ve had my eye on them for a few months now. Mainly because I saw this girl’s picture over on her tumblr The F Word (follow her – she’s too fucking cute) and was like damn. Give me those.

Then. Well. They went on sale. At Urban Outfitter of all places. And I got an email saying SALE SALE SALE. You know?

And then I was like, well it can’t hurt to click the link and look, right? WRONG.

It hurt my bank account. But only by $87.50. Which, for these … not bad. And now I own a pair of nice heels! They’re different and edgy, sure, but they’re also a really classic silhouette when all the trend is stripped away. And I stray pretty far from straight up classic fashion aesthetics. So, it was meant to be. I just … I had to splurge.

Sorry I’m not sorry.

I’m still crafting my perfect first outfit with them, so you’ll have to wait for that 🙂 TBC …

Guess what, bitches?! It’s October. Which means I should spend the entire month talking only about spooky fashion, right? Because I don’t do that enough already.

Well, here’s a special one for ya. A longtime reader of CWPL, Miss Sarah Moeding, got in touch with me a few weeks ago because SCORE, her beautiful, hand-crafted jewelry is now available for sale on her Etsy site. Guess what it’s called?

I mean, COME ON. Not only are her pieces perfect for yours truly on a year round basis, they also happen to be seasonally appropriate for those of you looking to delicately tap into your dark side.

And that’s just it. These pieces manage to stay delicate and pretty, without sacrificing their edge. I played around with a couple pieces to see how they would look with my favorite color – black, as well as with some more feminine ensembles too, just to demonstrate the versatility of her work. As she describes it, her aesthetic is “Victorian Hunting Lodge”. If that doesn’t drive home the juxtaposition, I’m not sure what will.

She made her first bone brooch from some mink skeletons her sister gave her for Christmas in 2009 and has always been fascinated and collected “dead things”. Her sister remains supportive of her hobby and to this day collects bones for Sarah and thinks of her when she sees dead stuff… (I really like this since my family has the same special connection with me. They LOVE it …ahem).

So anyway, Sarah began by making the pieces mostly for herself and for her friends, but as she tells it, “only in the last couple of months have I started to branch out into making earrings and necklaces, and selling them to the public. It’s exciting, the response has been resoundingly positive and supportive, and I took part in a craft fair mid-August that found me selling about a dozen pieces in less than a few hours.”

Fuck yeah! If you read this blog on a regular basis, you know I’m all for supporting talented, hot babes in their creative endeavors. Sounds like Sarah’s is really taking off. Must be in part because her unique pieces “straddle the line of being pretty and even ornate, but also somewhat masculine in form and feeling.”

Aside from that balance in her work, I also really love the uniqueness of her jewelry. I mean, come on. My mink bone is from my very own little mink! No need to share this little guy or gals curvature with anyone else. All mine!

If you want to really GO FOR IT when placing your order – she also offers gift wrapping for like, major cheap. Which is TOTALLY worth it because look, just look (genuine, bonafide, Texas armadillo skull not included):

(genuine, bonafide, Texas armadillo skull not included)

Now how cute is that? And that is a box you can keep forever. Even if you buy a piece for yourself, I vote you still go for the gift wrap. You won’t be sorry when you get this little package in the mail that is so evidently prepared with care and artistry. I know that I was really gleeful as I unwrapped my goodies and I have no doubt you will be too.

There are a ton of ways to get in touch with Sarah and places to check out/purchase her treasures:

When I first met my best friend Jessica (you may also know her as JRa, Jess, JJ, etc), I had no idea that fashion in the optical world was such a ‘thing’. I thought expensive sunglasses were ridiculous and people that wore glasses, well, I just didn’t think much of the fact that they had been needing to pick out an accessory that I myself had been able to ignore my entire life.

Me and Jessica – the early days (RIP Murder – my fishy)

After three years of bosom buddiness though, that’s all changed. I’ve helped her a number of times at Optik PDX, the small, beautifully designed, startup shop she helped bring into existence along the hip stretch of Mississippi that also houses Mississippi Studios, Miss Delta, Interurban, etc. etc.

She played a major role in introducing me to my adorable, glasses-wearing boyfriend (who, btw, shelled out for a surprise pair of the most amazing Barton Perriera sunglasses for me about a year ago, which ended up convincing me spendy shades were a worthy investment).

And, she has no problem pointing out the countless, COUNTLESS, number of glasses she herself has designed all around Portland. There is no shortage of people with fashionable eyewear in this town let me tell you. Check out the Optik PDX Facebook page to see some of them!

So yeah. I am surrounded by glasses now. Never saw myself in this situation, but that’s the way the cookie crumbled. And these days I’m up on Mississippi way more than I ever used to be and I’m always stopping in to see her and to say hi to the amazingly genial Dr. Ezra, and oh yeah to help myself to a nice cold Widmer, which they keep fully stocked in the back room for their customers to enjoy while perusing all the fabulous frames.

The Optik team looking all sorts of precious.

Inside the boutique

This isn’t just your typical adoration post even though I do indeed love her and Optik PDX to death. I actually have something really rad to tell you about! Let me get to the point. Aside from setting people up with all their optical needs, they also throw a killer party.

This Thursday is no exception. Please watch the video below where super smart people make 3D stuff using plastic and lasers. There is this glasses line, MYKITA MYLON, that is made like this.

Jess looking hot in the Mylon line

They’re bendy! They’re strong! They come in the most incredible colors and are like, super crazy hip. And this Thursday, Optik PDX is having a trunk show to showcase all the sexy steez. But oh wait there’s more, they’re also having a contest where you could actually win a pair! It’s an Instagram contest obviously, but that just means it’s super easy to enter.

Hello, beautiful frames

I’ll be posting the Instagram contest rules later today or tomorrow so watch for those. And if you live in Portland, do yourself a favor and head over to Optik PDX this Thursday, September 12 (TOMRROW!). The party goes from 1:00 – 7:00 pm and will feature a photo booth, free beer, beautiful people, and a whole host of cool glasses to fawn over.

Second, let me just say … Decaykini. Hellkini. Slasherkini … no no, you read right. It IS what you’re thinking. Only better. And brought to you by Etsy purveyor Bloodlust Productions.

I just …

You think these bikinis would be absolutely perfect for me! I mean, there isn’t much more in this world I love more than horror and creep stuff, but I am just not sure that I could put this type of stuff on my VAGINA. Not even if it is made from fucking rad ass horror effect materials and inspired by all of my favorite types of spooky shit.

I haven’t even given you my best example … ahem.

Look how hyped and sexy that girl is – now look between her legs. I die.

…………

………..

It is very … metal.

And honestly, I am obsessed with the concept and the execution. The shit looks really well made and I got a sewing machine solely for the purpose of making a line of “Murder Skirts” (hitting a retailer near year you, Fall 2019), so obviously I’m into it. It’s just so fucking ludicrous and weird and gnarly and really just, drives me to awed speechlessness.

Please, please go check them out and if you buy anything, you HAVE to send me pictures immediately. Because these suits really are pretty fucking epic.

Like, there’s texture …

And most of them will only set you back $85 – $100.

OMG their skirts! Their masks! Yeah I said it … skirts!!!

It’s too much. I’m obsessed. I pray to the Antichrist I see someone wearing something from these folks someday.

Again … go check them out, especially if you’re anything of a horror geek like myself. Swim suits are made to order. That’s pretty legit.

THIS PICTURE folks. This picture illustrates why it has taken me so long to write this post about one of my most fashionable female friends… she is way too fun a drinking partner! That bitch. After beginning my informal interview at Valentines downtown, we headed to the Eastside to check out one of her favorites, the legendary Lloyd Allen Sr. (never been? It’s worth your while.) at the Blue Diamond on Sandy Blvd. where the above pictured drinks were consumed and from where I took a Radio Cab to a different bar and then to a loft party and then to my bed where I woke up the next morning realizing I had lost the notebook in which I had recorded what I had remembered to be an EPIC conversation.

However, never fear. The notebook was found, waiting patiently for me in the loft where I had left it. Right under this ass poster at the Pizza Friday offices (check them out):

God damn miracle. Therefore we are now finally able to proceed and I can gush with proper notation over one of my most fashionable, talented, and fucking awesome friends here in Portland, Miss Jimi Pop. About fucking time, I know.

To really get at the heart of it … one of the things I love most about Jimi is that she is so, so, so fucking cool, like, painfully cool, and yet still, one of the sweetest, most unassuming friends I have. Unlike me, her cool quotient is off the charts, but even though I don’t front a seriously kick ass local Portland band, or have an effortless sense of style that translates into second-hand retail sales, or make and successfully sell my own jewelry line, or have epic hair … ok wait, I do have epic hair, but even though I am lacking in all those other areas that would earn me textbook cool points, Jimi never makes me feel like anything less than her equal. If you live in a place like Portland, where “cool” reigns supreme, I’m sure you understand how rare and endearing a characteristic this is in a person of her caliber.

Ok, so meet Jimi:

Ugh I know. I’ve written about her before a few times on this blog. Like, there was that one time I wrote about her because even though I’ve gotten really used to her being a blonde, she used to have babe-tastic raven black locks:

Yeah, sorry, she’s totally taken too. By that handsome boy rocking some serious liner on the left, who acts as 1/6 of their band, Thanks. This is a primarily a fashion blog, but what fits better with fashion than rock n’ roll? Correct answer: not much.

The reviews are in … from me, Willamette Week, and the Portland Mercury … Thanks churns out some seriously growly, sexy, soulful music. They’ll soon be recording a full length album, but in the meantime, their EP, Silver Scars Will Be Our Constellations, is available on iTunes for less than $6. So, I mean, I’d check it out if I were you. They also play around Portland pretty frequently and put on a killer live show, so if you’re in the area, follow them on Facebook for upcoming events. Totally worth your while. They’re mega talented and also ALL SO ATTRACTIVE. It’s dumb.

According to Jimi (omg I’m pulling notes from my once lost notebook! so exciting), she was always obsessed with R&B music – I have Mariah Carey and Boy II Men scrawled down so let’s go with that – and always wanted to be the girl doing runs in the background of said R&B.

And then … well then … I can’t really tell what happens! See for yourself …

I mean, write your own story here people, and I’ll skip to the point in my notes where it clearly says she has a moment of revelation, exclaiming: “I was sitting in my car and I was like ‘Fuck that! I can sing!”

She goes on to tell me that not only did she realize she had a set of pipes, but she could also write. And since you’ve already gone and listened to the Thanks EP, you know how right she was about that.

Beyond Jimi’s talent, can I also point out the notable camaraderie inherent in this band? It’s tempting to assign Jimi a Gwen Stefani, front-woman stigma, however in this band, it’s anything but. They really actually truly all love each other and pull their weight and when they’re up there on stage your eye is equally drawn to all of them at any given moment. Someday I’ll write fashion profiles on each of them, but for now, let’s get back to Jimi and her fashion steez.

It’s enviable. Mostly because it seems so effortless. Bitch. Some people just got “It”, right?

You want any of these items? Cause they’re totally waiting for you to buy them from her leased space down at Red Fox Vintage’s newest location on Woodstock.

She excitedly mentioned to me over happy hour the other day that in her first week leasing this space, she had sold enough to cover her share of the rent AND make a profit. This obviously has something to do with the fact that, as she explains to me, she was born under a “Thrifting Star”. She’s always getting lucky and finding awesome goods. Clearly.

She also has a system she follows when searching for the racks at everyone’s go-to spot Goodwill (or as Jimi calls it, the Mothership): “I start in the shoes, then I move on to the bags, then the dresses, and then I’m warmed up enough to fuck with the shirts and stuff.” But she doesn’t do pants because … wait, I can tell you why, because trying on pants sucks. I mean you actually have to try them on most of the time and screw that. I fucking hate trying on pants, which is why I keep going back to buy the same pair in different colors and variations from Urban Outfitter. I don’t really know if that’s why she doesn’t thrift the slacks section, but it’s universally true enough that I’m going with it.

Oh and guess what, I’ve tried Jimi’s “system” and I am not born under a thrifting star. I know. It’s totally shocking. I never find shit. And I get impatient right around the “bags” part, which is why I collect books instead of clothes. Luckily, now that she has her own leased space, I can just go buy the stuff she picks out. Beats Internet window shopping, which is ALL I do these days. Then I decide to think about a purchase over drinks and next thing you know all the money set aside for clothes is spent on whiskey shots and tacos or something and … this is why I only write about other people’s fashion. Moving along …

The day we met for our interview she had just found these gems at Little Edie’s Five and Dime on N. Williams. Pretty perfect condition of course.

And she had tie-dyed her own shirt.

Oh and that jewelry? She made that. Her very own Old Tiger and Peach line. The name is a Charles Bukowski reference, so you know, that’s also hot.

I will take a crystal pendant please and I’ve always been a sucker for the geometric drop necklace too.

All her jewelry is available on her Etsy site HERE and also at Rad Summer on Burnside if you’re a local.

So – as you can see – Jimi does a lot of cool shit. And has great style. And is a great drinking partner. And is a totally rad girl. It was a no-brainer profile. I’m thankful she’s in Portland and not tromping around being ultra cool in New York or something.

I’m also thankful for Thanks. I’m excited to see where their future takes them – and I think it will be somewhere wonderful and exotic – so best see them now while you can still get all close and personal up in their shit.

And I think because she’s so nice to look at we’ll just end with some pretty photos! K? K. xoxo, Lou

My sister, that lucky gal, has an extra $100 burning a hole in her pocket. After much debate, she’s decided she wants to blow the load on a new pair of Oxfords, but there’s only one tiny setback, she’s having a hell of a time deciding which pair to purchase!

Help? See below for pics. And keep in mind, all of these are under $100, so cost is not really a factor.